Adedeji Ademola is a Staff Contributor of Face2Face Africa. He holds a B.A (Hons) in History and Diplomatic Studies from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria and an MBA degree with specialization in General Management and Entrepreneurship as well as a Master of Science degree in International Relations both from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He was a recipient of the Guerrand Hermes Foundation for Peace Scholarship in 2006. He got the Best Student Leader award and also a merit award from the Faculty of Arts Students Association during his undergraduate days. Adedeji is a development strategist/activist and youth empowerment advocate. He is a Member, African Studies Association of the UK; Member, Royal African Society; Member, African Institute of Business Simulations, etc. His main research interests are in Politics, Society and Governance in West Africa, Africa inter-state relations, emerging powers, security, democratization and regional integration in West Africa. He has published articles in local and international journals; public media, among other several works.

Power woman Rosa Whitaker is one of the world’s foremost experts on African trade, investment, and business. As the founder, president, and CEO of the Whitaker Group (TWG), the premier trade and business consultancy firm in Africa, she has played a key role in driving business growth in Africa and shaping the continent’s rise on the global stage.

Prior to starting the Whitaker Group, she served as the first assistant U.S. Trade representative for Africa in the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush. During her time there, she developed and advocated for the passage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has created thousands of jobs on the continent, and increased African exports to the United States by 300 percent since its signing in 2000.

As the lead U.S. negotiator for bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, she was the prime mover behind a series of unprecedented initiatives to enhance U.S. trade, investment, and economic cooperation with African countries.

After leaving the U.S. government in 2003, Whitaker’s passion for Africa and interest in helping the continent increase its share in world trade led her to establish the Whitaker Group, which today is recognized as the premier consulting firm serving global companies investing or expanding business engagement in Africa.

“I am profoundly honored that Face2Face Africa and its advisory board have chosen to recognize me with the 2016 FACE List Trailblazer Award and am humbled to be included in so distinguished a group of honorees. They are an inspiration to us all as we work to realize our shared Pan-African vision and make this Africa’s century.” — Rosa Whitaker says on receiving Face2Face Africa’s Award.

Under Whitaker’s leadership, TWG has facilitated more than $1 billion in trade, investment, and capital to Africa, including the introduction of Kosmos Energy to Ghana to find oil. To date, Whitaker has not wavered in her belief that trade and investments are the keys to greater economic development and prosperity for African people.

In 2014, she was the first American to be given the Africa Economy Builders Award, which only complements the numerous honors and recognition she has received throughout her career.

Whitaker also serves on the board of several organisations around the world, including Mercy Ships; the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the Center for Global Prosperity, and previously, the U.S.-South Africa Business Council.

Married to Ghanaian Nicholas Duncan-William, the presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of Christian Action Faith Ministries (CAFM), Whitaker is a true trailblazer whose inspiring journey will forever impact Africa and women of color around the world.

Her mantra is “I bring to my work the values I live by — integrity in action, excellence in execution, steadfastness in faith.”

Whitaker will be honored at the 2016 FACE List Awards Gala on Saturday, July 9, at ESPACE Ballroom in New York. Get Tickets Here.